Libraries

For more than 450 years now, books have enjoyed great importance in strengthening national consciousness and developing the Slovenian nation, so libraries are regarded as an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The central National and University Library in Ljubljana, which collects and preserves the Slovenian written cultural heritage, is regarded as one of Jože Plečnik’s architectural masterpieces. Libraries dating back centuries with priceless manuscripts and some of the oldest Slovenian books are housed for the most part in monasteries or church institutions. The Franciscan monastery libraries in Nazarje and near Kamnik hold rich collections including the first two Slovenian translations of the Bible.